Mike Martin
2 of 5
© 2006 Mike Martin (880074057427)
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
Debut Instrumental Guitar Rock CD from virtuoso lead guitarist for FOZZY, The Duke and Stuck Mojo.
tracks
try this
genres you will love
By Location
Recommended if you like ...
links
notes
Mike Martin
Independent Guitarist and Composer
Lead Guitarist for:
FOZZY
The Duke
Stuck Mojo
www.mikemartin.net
Biography
Mike Martin began his life on stage. Literally. Mike’s mother was pregnant while she was in college studying and performing opera. He never had a chance! He began his formal study of music at the age of four, learning violin and singing in choir throughout elementary school. At nine years old he started playing the piano. In 1985 he discovered the guitar and was given one that year as a Christmas present. Teaching himself to play by ear, Mike quickly developed a repertoire of popular rock music learning every AC/DC riff he could.
In junior high, Mike began seeking out teachers who could help further him along as a player. After a short stint with music store lessons, Mike was accepted to study at The Concord Community Music School in Concord New Hampshire, studying Classical Guitar with Christopher Kane and Jazz Guitar with David Tonkin.
Mike earned his first professional job as a guitarist playing 12-string guitar for the New Life Singers, a contemporary Christian folk ensemble based out of Concord. At fifteen, Mike created a new rock band and began performing all over New Hampshire with musicians who were already out of high school.
Eager to learn as much as possible about the guitar, Mike took an opportunity to move to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 1990 to begin studying with Tom Yoder, a local guitar wizard that Mike credits for bringing out the discipline and skills he would need for a lifetime of music achievement. During this time, Mike continued performing in the Myrtle Beach area with local bands. Mike stayed under Tom’s tutelage until graduating from high school in 1992.
Mike moved to Atlanta in 1992 with the group Tunnel Vision in hopes of getting his performing career off the ground. The new Alternative and Grunge movements made it difficult for Mike to secure many opportunities, but he did make some acquaintances along the way. Mike did a short stint at a Georgia landscaping company where he met Rich Ward of Stuck Mojo and Sean Delson and Doug Busbee of Salem Ash. Little did he realize the significance of this brief encounter.
Discouraged, Mike did the only thing he could think of: Go To College! Here he studied Music Theory and Composition with Dr. David Maves, ASCAP Composer of the Year 1995. He also continued his Classical guitar studies with Mark Regnier and Jazz studies with Tommy Gill.
After graduating in 1999, Mike moved back to Atlanta to pick up where he had left off and soon found work in the thriving Atlanta Blues Scene as a mercenary sideman for hire. Mike also had great success performing with his Nuevo Gypsy / Flamenco duo with Ed Wier. Mike began showcasing his writing with the group The Hybrids in 2000, which ultimately lead to Mike starting a group under his own name in 2002.
Mike was approached by Sean Delson in the summer of 2004 on behalf of Rich Ward and FOZZY to take over lead guitar responsibilities, as they were beginning a world tour to support their latest record “All That Remains.” Since then Mike has recorded his first CD, “2 of 5,” to be released in June 17th 2006, touring with FOZZY and recorded The Duke’s new release on Spitfire Records “My Kung Fu Is Good.” (Released worldwide May 2005)
Mike’s foundations in Classical, Metal, Jazz, Folk, Rock and World music have made him dedicate his career to versatility and culture with the highest respect for art by any means necessary. Perhaps he is best described in the following way:
Art with a purpose is a force to be reckoned with.
Notable Highlights:
BA; Music Theory and Composition
College of Charleston, SC 1999
Studied with: Dr. David Maves, PHD (1995 ASCAP Composer of the Year)
Classical Guitar Studies with Mark Regnier, MA
Original Chamber Music performed by members of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (1999).
Performed Vivaldi Concerto for two guitars with Kris Woodrum and the Charleston Community Orchestra (1998).
Has Performed with:
FOZZY (Ash Records)
The Duke (Spitfire Records)
Stuck Mojo (Independent)
Jerry Donahue (The Hellecasters)
Man On Fire (ProgRock Records)
JANAH (Rattlesby Records)
David Manion (Steve Walsh, Seventh Key, Independent)
Jimmy Dourmire (Confederate Railroad)
Bill Stewart (The Greg Allman Band)
John Schwenke, Jon McKnight, Tom Grey
and Mark Johnson (Delta Moon)
Quentin Baxter (Monte Alexander, Rene Marie,
Takana Myamoto, Independent)
Barry Richman (Independent)
Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers, King Johnson)
Eric Sands (Lion Music)
Tommy Dodd (Independent)
Has opened for:
Motorhead
The Radiators (Tour)
Chris Botti (Earthlink Live, Atlanta 2002)
Tim Reynolds (Tour)
Joe Bonemassa (Earth Day Festival 2002)
Rusted Root (WXRT Rockin’ de Mayo Fest. 2002)
Festivals and Shows:
FOZZY “Touring the World and Elsewhere” 2005-2006
Atlantis Music Conference (2005)
SXSW (2002)
WXRT Rockin’ De Mayo Festival (2002)
Atlanta Blues Festival (2000)
Earth Day Festival, Nashville TN (2002)
Magnolia Festival (2001)
Jemfest USA (2003,2005,2006)
Download Festival (Donnington, UK) (2005)
Discography
Mike Martin – “2 of 5”
Serpa Records 2006
Stuck Mojo - "Southern Born Killers"
Independent 2007
Zero Chance – “Better Days for Broken Hearts”
Independent 2006
The Duke – “My Kung Fu Is Good”
Spitfire Records 2005
Ed Wier – “Tribe”
Independent 2000
Radio & TV:
WWE RAW w/ Fozzy on Spike TV (performance)
WWE Extreme w/ Fozzy on Spike TV (the Making of “Enemy” music video)
Rage TV (Australia)
Channel 4 (UK)
Peachtree Morning (Atlanta) (performance)
WRFG, WREK (Atlanta) (performance)
WXRT (Chicago) (performance)
Video
Stuck Mojo
"I'm American" 2007 Music Video
Director: Simon Evans
FOZZY
“Enemy” 2004 Music Video
Director: Paul Hough
Rotation: MTV2, Fuse Network
reviews
Please log in to review this album.
Another talented artist on my list of bands/artists I enjoy from Atlanta, GA; (F
author: Bad Taste Music.com - Review by Rick DHave to say this is a first for me; reviewing a solo guitarist’s recording. I will do my best. I’m not going to get into techniques and all that jazz. Not being a huge connoisseur of instrumental rock guitar work, where do I begin? For the record, I have heard songs from the likes of Steve Vai, Joe Satriani & Eric Johnson. This guy Mike Martin is in their class! Good rock is good rock! ‘Nuff said! 2 of 5 is a very good collection of instrumental rock and hard rock songs. From songs “Living The Good Life” and its upbeat catchy lead that puts me in a good mood; to “2 Of 5”’s hard driving guitar that make me want to move around; to the King’s X vibe “Salute”; to the jazzy “The Trouser Trout”. It all adds up to me; a real good cd!
The title is an allusion to "Star Trek", and this guitarist's trek may become st
author: Let it Rock - DME Music SiteToday it's almost a rule: if you're a rock guitarist with a classical background your music is interesting to listen to but it rarely brings pleasure - it's an intellect-versus-pure joy game. Fortunately, Mike Martin, an axeman for, lately, FOZZY and The Duke, counts jazz and folk amongst his influences as well as hard rock and doesn't bind himself to any particular style on this, his first solo album, a fine collection of instrumental pieces. That's why "Salute" soars to the sun on the fusion wave and then rolls down the rocky road beckoning a listener to follow, and "Lavender" has a delicate aroma about it. Not that everything comes with a serious expression as suggests the playful "The Trouser Trout" that's hard not to get hooked on. The centerpiece, though, is "Epiphany", the best example of what Mike's capable of in terms of composition. Starting Bach-like, it builds on riffs but it's the lyrical, spiral way up through both speedy and relaxed soloing to the climactic resolution. There's no showing off, there's genuine feelings on display. With certainty that the next album will be a blast, it's 4 - not 2 - out of 5.
Mike Martin is a blast of a guitar treasure, as anyone who has seen Fozzy could
author: Bravewords.com by Martin PoppoffMike Martin is a blast of a guitar treasure, as anyone who has seen Fozzy could attest heartily. So it’s no surprise that he’s created a gorgeous instrumental guitar album at a level arguably reached only by John 5 and Steve Vai, the latter – along with the fluid, new agey side of Eddie Van Halen – of which is felt all over this plush, tone-rich disc. The title of the album refers to Mike being the second of five children (and also to Stark Trek character 7 of 9), and that is gleaned from the note on the opening track. Mike goes on to write elucidating bits on all the songs. As the album progresses, Satriani comes to mind as well, sort of in the joyous, sinewy quality to the soloing, as well as the hummability (check out ‘Living The Good Life’). With ‘Epiphany’ you’re also in that yearning Satriani/Vai place, the expansive drum groove helping drive the piece home. What’s great testimony to Martin as an artist is that he doesn’t shred on this record, despite (well, this is my opinion) being pretty much the most explosive, fastest, musical, and intelligent of structure shred king I’ve ever seen. Grade-wise, there’s a hard ceiling to a minimally utilitarian record like this for me, and Mike hits that… See www.mikemartin.net for more, ‘cos, unfortunately, Fozzy’s looking a little hiatus-y.
The best 'first' album I've ever heard
author: edward wierThis cd is loaded with incredible playing and, most of all, great compositons. That's where most 'guitar' albums fall short in my opinion. Most of the compositions just seem like an excuse to play. Not so here. From soul wrenching gritty groves to beautiful melodies these tracks soar and float with abandonment and control. The textures and moods are many.
AWESOME!!!!
author: AlexThe CD is awesome, its the second time I order from CD baby and I receive always a good service. Mike martin is an awesome composer and with this CD he'll show the world what he is all about!